Variable-speed mechanism



. 1-, 2 May 17., 1921. WELLS 6 8939 VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISM Filed Sept. 24*, 1925 INVENTEIR.

hkwlw. 1 ww Fatented May 17, 1927.

JOHN HARRY, WELLS, OF BQS TQN, MASSACHUSETTS ASIGNOB T0 MUL'IJISIZE ROTARY PRESS G0,, LIMITED; OF TORONFPQQCANADA.

sI -Bm ir-Em ma ten-ten- Application filed Stpttmbc 4, 9 S na e 5& we n. Can a Se tember 39 19,25-

at a different speed while not printing. This is accomplished by means including a speed varying member adapted tobe rotated on it axis durf one portionot each reyohn tion of the whole mechanism and to be locked during'the other portion of each revolution while the cylinders are printing. It ulo e t tha he peederi es member e so leclied during the printing or constant speed perio that it cannot have any effect n p uc y ir gula y in he pe d and thus inthe printing; This was accomplished in my prior agplication by means ot a plurality of rollers two 01 which were adapt d, t e cen e t it p n- Ot a cam' during theconstant speed period but in practice one of the two contacting rollers as swung forcibly against the cam which resulted in an unpleasant noise during the operation of the machine and which was apt to result in the parts being damaged. My object is therefore to provide means for gradually absorbing the momentum of the speed-Varyin imember at theend o f the period of different speed and'tor locking it during the period of constant speed which w l r e from t e flbQWfl ohi qt on ble features.

I attain my objects by means of the constructions hereinafter describedand i-llus-i trated in the aocomlpanyine drawings in whichi Fig. l is mecha nism 2' a longitudinal section on the line 2 in Fig. 1;"and

Fig. 3 a di gram'matic yiew showing: three positions of the speed-varying member and two positions oi its locking member.

In the drawings like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

1 is a constant speedshaft which suitably journalled in bearings (not shown) carried by the frame of the machine. 5 is a a cross section oi part of the rotary driven member formed as a sleeve oose y m iin edon h on tan pe haft 1'." It isi'the function of theapparatus or mechani m as W ole t ua e h ot ry member at the same speed as the shaft 1 for a portion at each revolution and at a yaried speed d ring the remainder. of each revolu ingunembei: has at itsouter end a speed varying member 8 secured thereto. -Theinne'r end or tlllfii spindle s geared by means 0t change gears to the rotary member 5. In

Fig, 2 is shown simple form; of change gears in which a gear 7 is removably secured to the spindle 'Z and is meshed with a gear 40 secured-to the rotary driven mem :i. preterredform oi. this gearing and the gearing fol-connecting; the rotary member w'th a printing press is shown and fully described in my hereinbefore mentioned P app i ation-i If the spindle bei- 7 be held from rotation relative to the carrying member "7 "the rotary driven member 5 will be actuated at the same'spced' as the constant speed shaft 1, whereas ii the spindle '7 be rotated on its; axis, the rotary member will be actuated relative to the'constant speed shaft.

The spindle 7 is intermittently rotated on its axis during a portion of each revolution of the constant speedshaft 1 andthus of the carrying member 7. The speed-varying member 8 is formed as a hub secured to the spindle 7 and has a'plurality of ratchet teeth In" 10 formed on its periphery, see Fig. l the drawings there ar'efour equally teeth shown which'are adapted to been rjaged seriatim by alspring actuated pawl pivoted on 0; i able member 12 i0 nalled on the member 8'. Preferably there are two diametrically opposite pawls 11 em ployed for engaging two of the teeth .10 at the same time to'equalize the loed on opposite sides of the spindle 7. The osciilatahle member is provided with a laterally extend ing projection 12 haying an anti-friction roller thereon for engagement with a cam groove formed in the side of a cam. disk described.

14. This cam is adapted to oscillate the member 12 to cause the pawls to partially rotate the speed-varying member and to returnthe'pawls to their starting position for engagement with the next pair of ratchet teeth on the next revolution of the constant speed shaft. In Fig. 1 the starting and finishing posit-ions of,the speed-varying and oscillatable members are shown in full and in construction lines respectively, and it will be noted that the rotary movement imparted to the spindle 7 takesplace during aport-ion less than half of a revolution of the constant speed shaft 1.

In other words, the stepwise rotary movement is-imparted to the speed-var ing member during one port-ion of each revolution of the carrying member and the two rotate together for the other portion or the remainder of each revolution during the constant speed period of the mechanism as a whole. r I I The cam 14; is mounted on a sleeve journailed on the constant speed shaft 1 and is formed integral with or secured to a gear 1 9 which has a driving connection with the shaft by means of changeable gears (not shown) so that the speed of the cam and its direction of rotation may be varied rela '"ive to the speed and direction of rotato increase or decrease the arc of the speed-' varying membc and by changing the gear ratios to correspond. in any case, to obtain good printing results it is necessary to control the movement of the speed-varying member for substantially its whole rotary movement and then lock it as mentioned above. v

This is accomplished by first cont-rolling the movement of the speed-varying member and then positively looking it as hereinafter A. control cam 14 is secured to the cam 14-, the former being formed integral with the sleeve to which the cam i l is secureiil and the speed-varying member 8 is provided with four equally spaced projections carrying anti-friction rollers 8, 8 8 and 8 adapted to engage the underside surface 149 of a radially extending nose on the control cam. Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be seen thatat the commencement of the rotary movement of the speed-varying 12 on the oscillatable member is swung away from the shaft 1 to impart the rotary movement to the speed-varying member. The roller 8 is thus swung away from the control cam and the roller 8 travels in towards the cam. As the rotary movement of the speed varying member progresses the memberis partially turned with the spindle 7 and the roller 8 engages the surface lei when the spindle reaches, the position indi cated in construction lines in Fig. 8.

It will be noted that the roller. 8 in this intermediate position is still ahead of the spindle 7 and the roller is adapted to roll along the surface 14, while the spindle is turning through the last part of its partial rotation, to gradually absorb the momentum of the revolving speed-varying member 18 and to prevent itoverrunning its pawl and ratchet drive. The oscillatable member. 12 is first moved very slowly by the cam from the position indicated in full lines in F 1, as hereinbefore described, then the speed is increased and then gradually decreased towards the end of its work stroke whereby the pawls 11 are substantially at rest when the member 12 has reached the end of its work stroke which position is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The speed-varying member 8 tends to overrun its ratchet drive when the speed of the member 12 is decreased and the roller 8" is adapted to engage the cam 14 before the reduction in speed of the member 12 takes place so that the roller 8" is. controlled by the cam before the member 8 has an opportunity to run ahead of its ratchet drive. The surface 14 is so shaped that the roller 8" in contact therewith holds the teeth 10 in contact with the pawls 11 so that the speed of' the speed-varying member 8 is gradually slowed down with the oscillatable member 12 and the member 8 is s-iubsl'antially at rest when it reaches the end of its partial revolution.

When the member 8 reaches this position the roller 8 has reached the end of the surface lat as indicated in full lines, Fi 3. and is locked by means of av yoke pivoted at 7 on the carrying member 7. while the mechanism as a whole travels through the arc of constant speed. The yoke is located between the cam 14 and the carrying member 7 and is provided with a r ce l to form spaced shoulders adapted to receive the rollers 8. S", 8 and S seriatim. To position the yoke for engagement with the heroinbefore described rollers, I provide rollers 1 9 arranged concentric with the axis of and carried by the cam le for engagement with the inner curved surface of the yoke 4:. This surface is provided with a portion 4? which lilo eaaeea is concentric to the axisof the cam 14 and thus to. the rollers 145 when the yoke isin locking position, whereby the latter will concentric )ortions l" en 'a 'es the other roller-s l l in turn ,This arrangement permits a roller to be positioned near the points of looking and unlocking whereby the yoke will be adequately supported as it moves; from the lockingto the unlocking po nts. 1 is.

radius of the inner curveds rface of the v 1m r between the ends of the concentric portion 4;" is greater than the radius or the-latter which permits theryoke to disengage the locked roller on the speed-varying member when the end of the concentric portionpasses the last roller 14 which is the one adjacent. the unlocking position as hereinbefore -de- I tatablymounted carrying member;-a speed scribed.

1 To prevent the yoke 4r being jammed-be ti son the canrle and the carrying member 7,1 pro vide'a distance-collar 6 between the cam and member. a bushing on which. the cam is mounted and is suitably shaped to provide sufficient material so it may be pinned to theooam and toclearthe rollers 14P.-

The mode of operation, assuming the spindie 7 1s POSltlOllQClfiS shown in dottedlines' in Fig. 3 and has ust completed the arc of constant speed, is as follows. As'the carrying member rotates past this point the rollers 8, 8 '8 and 8 on the speed-varying member are rotated about the-spindle 7 and at the same time the concentric portions 4? of the yoke 4 is moved past the last roller 14 which permits the shoulders l to drop away from the roller 8. The spindle 7,

rollers on'the speed varying'memberand the yoke travel round to the position indicated inconstructionlines, in this position the roller 8 has been swungto the rear-of the spindle 7.

To tend to position the yoke for engagen'ient with the rollers 8* to 8 one by one, on

successive rotations of the carrying member, I provide spring means carried by the carrying member 7 for engagement with an arm 4 formed on the side of the yoke remote from its pivot- '7. The spring means includes a stem i pivoted at 7 on the car'- rying member and freely passed through the arm 4?. Springs 4 are carried on the stem for engagingopposite sides oft-he arm, one spring being stronger than'the OtllGf'WhBIG- by the peripherynofthe yoke is yieldingly This collar is vformed on,

pressed against'one ottherollers as the rollers are changing their positions which prevents the yoke flopping? about,

As the spindle '3" moves from the position ind-icatedain construction lines to that indicatedin full lines, the roller 8 rolls along the surface 14: and-slows down the speed of themenibcrs 8 and b' and at the same rate asthe cam 14 slowsdow-n the speed of r the oscillatable member 12, The forward end of the concentric' portion {L then engages the first rol ler l lf and; holds the shoulders d in engagement with the roller 8" during the movement through the constant speed arc, It will be notedthat the surface ll is the only partofi the cam engaged by they I rollers 8 h 8.- c

"lihe; above described controlling and locking mechanism will workquietly and with. out danger of-damage to the parts and'will positively lock the speed varying memberduring;- the period ofconstantspeedso that highuclass work may be produced by the apparatus. 7

,, lVhat I claim is:

r 1. In variable speed mechanism the coin bination of a rotary driven member; a revarying member'journaled on said carrying member eccentric to the axis thereof; gearing between said speed-varying member and the driven member; means including a ratchet device for imparting a stepwise ro tary movement to the speed-varyingmember" moved; by the ratchet device.

2. In variable speedmechanism the combination of a rotary driven member; a rotatably mounted carrying member; a speed varying member journalled on said carrying member eccentric "to theaxisthereof; gearing between saidspeed-varying member and the driven member; means forimparting a stepwise rotary. movementto the speed-varying member during one-portion of each revolution of the carrying member whereby the speed of the rotary driven member is varied relative to the speed of the carrying 1nemher; a plurality of equally spaced projec tions on, the speed-varying member; and a cam engageable by the projections, seriatim,

for checkingthemomentum of the speedvarying member during its movement relat-werte the carry ng memb 3 In variable speed mechanism the combination of a rotary driven member; a rotatably mounted carrying member; a speedvarying member journalled on said carrying member eccentric to the axis thereof; gearing between said speed-varying member and the driven member; means including a ratchet device for imparting a stepwise rotary movement to the speed-varying member during one portion of each revolution of the carrying member whereby the speed of the rotary driven member is varied relative to the speed of the carrying member; a plurality of equally spaced projections on the speed-varying member; and a cam engageable by the project-ions, seriatim, for checking the momentum of the speed-varying member during its movementrelative to the carrying member to prevent the speed-varying member running ahead of its ratchet drive.

4. In variable speed mechanism the combination of a rotary driven member; a rotatably mounted carrying member; a speedvarying member journalled on said carrying member eccentric to the axis thereof; gearing between said speed-varying member and the driven member; means for imparting a stepwise rotary movement to the speedvarying member during one portion of each revolution ot the carrying member whereby the speed of the rotary driven member is varied relative to the speed of the carrying member; a plurality of equally spaced projections 011 the speed-varying member; a

' cam engageable by the projections, seriatim for checking the momentum of the speedvarying member during its movement rela tive to the carrying member; and means adapted to engage the projections one by one to lock the speed-varying member during the other portion of each revolution of the carrying member.

5. In variable speed mechanism the combin ation of a rotary driven member; a rotatably mounted carrying member; a speedvarying member journalled on said carrying member eccentric to the axis thereof; gearing between said speed-varying member and the driven member; a cam; an oscillat able member journalled concentric with. the speed-varying member and actuable by said cam; pawl and ratchet driving means whereby a stepwise rotary movement may be imparted to the speed-'\ 'aryingmember by the rocking of the oscillatable member to vary the speed of the rotary driven member relative to the speed of the carrying menr her; and means including a cam adapted to co operate with the speed-varying member to gradually absorb the momentum thereof at the end of its partial revolution.

6. In variable speed mechanism the combination of a rotary driven member; a rotatably mounted carrying member; a speedvarying member journalled on said carry ing member eccentric to the axis thereof; gearing between said speed-varying member and the driven member; means for imparting a stepwise rotary movement to the speedvarying member during one portion of each revolution of the carrying member whereby the speed of the rotary driven member is varied relative to the speed of the carrying member; a plurality of equally spaced projections on the speed-varying member; a cam engageable by the projections, seriatim for checking the momentum of the speedvarying member during its movement relaa stepwise rotary movement to the speed-- varying member during one portionot each revolution of the carrying member whereby the speed of the rotary driven member is varied relative to the speed of the carrying member; a plurality of equally spaced projectionson the speed-varying member; a pivoted member adapted to engage the projections, seriatim, to lock the speed-varying member during the other portion of each revolution of the carrying member; and means adapted to lock the pivoted member in its operative position.

8. In variable speed mechanism the combination of a constant speed shaft; a rotary driven member loose on the said shaft; a carrying member secured to the shaft; a speed-varying member journalled on said carrying member eccentric to the axis thereof; gearing between said speed-varying member and the driven member; means for imparting a stepwise rotary movement to the speed-varying member during one portion of each revolution of the carrying member whereby the speed of the rotary driven member is varied relative to the speed of the shaft; a plurality of equally spaced projections on the speed-varying member; and means including a pivoted yoke adapted to span the said shaft and provided with spaced shoulders adapted to receive the projections seriatim, to lock the speed-varying member during the other portion of each revolution of the carrying member. s 1

9. In variable speed mechanism the combination of a constant speed shaft; a rotary driven member loose on the said shaft; a

carrying member secured to said shaft; a speed-varying member journalled' on said carrying member eccentric to the axis thereof; gearing between said speed-varying member and the driven member; means for imparting a stepwise rotary movement to the speed-varying member during one portion of each revolution of the carrying member whereby the speed of he rotary driven member is varied relative toithespeed of the constant speed shaft; a plurality ofe'qually spaced projections on the speed-varying member; a pivoted yoke adapted tospan the said shaft and provided with a recess to form spaced shoulders adapted to receive the projections, seriatim, to lock the speed-varying member during the other portion of each revolution of the carrying member; means adapted to lock the yoke in its operative position; and spring means connected with the carrying member and the yoke tending to position the latter for engagement with a projection. I

10. In variable speed mechanism the. combination of a rotary driven member; a rotatably mounted carrying member; a speedvarying member journalled on said carrying member eccentric to th'e axis thereof; gearing between said speed-varying member and the driven member; means for imparting a stepwise rotary movement to the speed varying nien'iber during one portion of each revolution of the carrying member whereby the speed of the rotary driven memberis varied relative to the speed of the carrying member; a plurality of equally spaced projections on the speed-varying member; a cam engageable by the projections, seriatim, for checking the momentum of the speedvarying member during its movement relative to the carrying member; a pivoted yoke provided with spaced shoulders adapted to receive the projections, one by one; and means for operating the yoke into and out of engagement with the projections to lock and unlock the speed-varying member during each revolution of the carrying member.

ll. In variable speed mechanism the combination of a rotary driven member; a rotatably mounted carrying member; a speedvarying member journalled on said carrying member eccentric to the axis thereof; gearing between said speed-varying member and the driven member; means for imparting a stepwise rotary movement to the speedvarying member during one portion of each revolution 01 the carrying member whereby the speed of the rotary driven member is varied relative to the speed o1 the carrying member; a plurality of equally spaced projections on the speed-varying member; a cam concentric with the carrying member engageable by the project-ions, seriatim, for checking the momentum of the speed-varying member during its movement relative to thecarrying men'iber; a plurality of rollers carried by the cam, concentric to its axis; and a yoke pivoted on the carrying member and passedover. the rollers, the yoke having spaced shoulders adapted to receive the pro- 'ections, one by one, the yoke being provided withan arcuate surface concentric to the axis of the cam for engagement by the rollers, seriatim, to maintain the yoke in locking engagement with the projections duringthe other portio'iroit' each revolution otthe carrying member.

l2. In variable speed mechanism the comibination or a rotarydrivenmember; a rotatably mounted carrying member; a speedvarying member jonrnalled on said carrying men'ibereccentric to the axis thereof; gear mg between ,saidispeed-varying member and the driven member; means for imparting a stepwise rotary movement "to the spcetivarying-member during one portion of each revolution or the carrying member whereby the speed of the rotary driven inen'iber is varied relative to the speed of the carrying member; aplnrality of equally spaced jv jojection's on the speed-varying inem'b-er a cam concentric with the carrying member ei'iga geable by the projections, seriat'in'i, for

with an arcuate surface concentric to the axis of the cam for engagement by the rollers, seriatim, to maintain the yoke in looking engagement with the projections during the other portion of each revolution of the carrying member; and spring means connected with the carrying member and the yoke tending to position the latter for engagement with a projection. 13. In variable speed mechanism the combination of a rotary driven member; a rotatably mounted carrying member; a speed varying member jo'urnalled on said carrying member eccentric to the axis thereof; gearing between said speedvarying member and the driven member; a cam concentric with the carryingmember; an oscillatable member journalled concentric with the speedvarying member and actuable by said cam; pawl and ratchet driving means whereby a stepwise rotary movement may be imparted to the speed-varying member by the rocking of the oscillatable member; a plurality of equally spaced projections on the speedvarying member; a cam concentric with and secured to the first mentioned cam and engageable by the projections, seriatim, for checking the momentum of the speed-varying member to prevent the latter overrunning the pawl and ratchet drive; a plurality of rollers carried by the second mentioned cam concentric to its axis; and a yoke pivoted on the carrying member and passed over the rollers, the yoke having spaced shoulders adapted to receive the projections, one by one, the yoke being provided with an arcuate surface concentric to the axis of the cam for engagement by the rollers, SOl'lfitlll'l, to maintain the yoke in locking engagement with the projections while the speed-varying member is not being moved by the oscillatable member and thereby lock said member from rotation.

14:. In variable speed mechanism the combination of a rotary driven member; a rotatably mounted carrying member; a speedvarying member journalled on said carrying member eccentric to the axis thereof; gearing between said speed-varying member and the driven member; a cam concentric with the carrying member; an oscillatable member journalled concentric with the speed-varying member and actuable by said cam; pawl and ratchet driving means whereby a stepwise rotary movement may be imparted to the speed-varying member by the rocking of the oscillatable member; a plurality of overrunning its pawl and ratchet drive; a

plurality of rollers carried by the second mentioned cam concentric to its axis; and a yoke pivoted on the carrying member and passed over the rollers, the yoke having spaced shoulders adapted to receive the proj ections, one by one, the yoke being provided with an arcuate surface concentric to the axis of the cam for engagement by the rollers, seriatim, to maintain the yoke in locking engagement with the projections while the speed-varying member is not being moved by the oscillatable member and there?" by lock the speed-varyingmember from rotation.

Signed at Toronto this 20th day of August, 1925.

J. HARRY wELLs. 

